apt blog

A Blast from the Past

Whilst many of us at apt were made in the 80’s, after seeing Microsoft’s new Internet Explorer (IE) campaign, we are definitely children of the 90’s! In a clever marketing drive to encourage users to switch back to IE; Microsoft uses delight and nostalgia to remind us of a lost time when you had to dial-in to use the internet and people wore bum bags.

The new creative advert, titled ‘Child of the 90s’, encourages viewers to take a trip down memory lane; in the land of Hungry Hippos, Slap Bracelets, Pogs (slight cringe!) and of course, IE.

Their concept of ‘You grew up. So did we’ is an interesting parallel and the nostalgic essence definitely brought a tear (of longing) to our eyes. But with so many other internet browsers out there, will people give IE another chance? Only time will tell...

What was your favourite product of the 90’s?

Hotel Owner Magazine - Angie's column in the November edition

Angie's latest Hotel Owner column is on the important issue of the star rating system.The reason behind the article stemmed from a question from a hotel owner in a Q&A session at the Independent Hotel Show.

To download the November article click the following link: Download Hotel Owner Article November 2012

Alternatively take a look at the Hotel Owner website.

Gloucestershire assembles to celebrate success of our Businesses

Last night saw Gloucestershire’s most successful and innovative businesses gather together to celebrate the much anticipated Diamond Jubilee Business Awards 2012. Now recognised nationwide as the biggest of its kind, representatives flocked the Cheltenham Racecourse with more than 600 guests eager to hear the results.

Sarah Irvine, managing director of Gloucestershire Media, announced the quality of this year’s entries as ‘the strongest yet’. The worthy finalists were treated to slap up meal, flowing drinks and the opportunity to network with some of the most important business minds of the county – including our very own, Angie.

“It was an absolutely lovely evening and fabulous to see the room so full. The level of support for the businesses, both from Gloucestershire Media and for each other, was stunning”.

The evening was nothing short than spectacular, with professionalism in abundance.  Applause rang through the high ceilings of the Centaur as winner after winner collected their awards. Equally outstanding was how the event fully embraced social media with a monumental screen, where they displayed video profiles of the finalists and broadcasted award related tweets – bold move we say!

We would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners who attended the awards and give a huge pat on the back to Gloucestershire Media for arranging such an incredible event, thank you!

 

Business of the Year: Avon Metals.

Small Business of the Year: National Shower Spares.

Family Business of the Year: Miles Mann Ltd.

Young Business of the Year: Haremi Ltd.

Communicator of the Year: Gloucestershire Constabulary.

Business Innovation: Versarien Ltd.

Environmental Award: Creed Foodservice.

Young Business Person of the Year: Will Rees, Direct On-line Services.

Apprenticeship Development Award: Messier Bugatti Dowty.

Best Place to Work: Messier Bugatti Dowty.

Corporate Social Responsibility: Peter Hickman Hairdressing.

Gloucestershire Ambassador: Terry Morgan, Federation of Small Businesses.

Hotel Owner Magazine - Angie's column in the August edition

Do online bookings mean your customer service standards can slip? Angie considers the traditional phone manner of front of house staff, which is still very important in the digital age. Read her latest Hotel Owner column and find out how your employees can make the right impression...

To download the July article click the following link:   Download August Marketing Matters

Alternatively take a look at the Hotel Owner website.

 

A celebration fit for the...well Cricket Festival launch

Yesterday saw the much anticipated launch of The Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Cricket Festival.

At 4pm, the official press launch was held at the Brewin Dolphin offices, with all the sponsors in attendance, followed by a champagne and canapes launch event for selected guests at local restaurant The Daffodil that evening. The turn out was incredible, the hosts fantastic and the evening marked the launch of the local summer to remember. Now, we're just looking forward to the Festival itself and we hope you are too!

Paul Nurden from Brewin Dolphin says 'The Festival has been running for 100 years this year and we're really excited to be involved... hopefully it will be 11 days of cricket in the beautiful sunshine.'

Much of the sponsorship was organised by the apt sponsorship team and sponsors include: Cheltenham companies Abercrombie & Kent; Montpellier Wine Bar (who have a hospitality tent again this year); Mercedes Benz; University of Gloucestershire and Total Communications.

If you cannot wait to attend, the Festival will be held between Wednesday 11th July to Sunday 22nd July and tickets can be bought on the website.

If you'd like more information, you can listen to the interview with Paul Nurden on Star Radio...

(Copyright Star Radio 2012):  Download 21st june - glos sponsor

 

Hotel Owner Magazine - Angie's Advice for June

In June's advice column Angie takes a look at hotel restaurants and how to best use them in this day and age with the competition from restaurant chains and voucher deals.

To download the article click the following link: Download HOTEL 2012 06 June 25.

Alternatively take a look at the Hotel Owner website.

Hotel Owner Magazine - Angie's Marketing Column!

Angie's latest marketing column in the May issue of Hotel Owner looks into the effectiveness of your hotel's website. Is it doing the right job for you?

Take a look at the column here.

Alternatively visit the Hotel Owner website.

Hotel Owner Magazine - Angie's Marketing Advice

For this months 'Marketing Matters' coloum in Hotel Owner magazine, Angie gives her advice on how to improve the all-important first impression of your hotel.

Read the April column here: Hotel Owner 2012 April Marketing Matters or register for the magazine on the website.

A gorgeous (well wet but enjoyable) morning at the Gallops

Last wednesday (yes, a bit late writing this post), we were lucky enough to have a morning with Kim Bailey at the Gallops.

To say the day was cold, wet and windy is an understatement! Having woken up through the night to thunderstorms and howling winds, the morning faired little better with driving rains and a dark grey sky! Still, being British, Emma, Angie and Victoria wrapped up warm in Dubarry's, tweeds and wax jackets and headed off for a morning at the Gallops on Kim Bailey's Yard! Not to be outdone, our guests also straggled in, eager for the promised tea, coffee, cooked breakfast and a morning with the horses, not deterred by the weather in the slightest!

As we stood finishing the last dregs of our coffee's peering gloomily through the waterfall pouring down the window, the clouds parted and the odd ray of sunshine peeked through. It was time to dash, so Kim took us on a whistle-stop through the stables, pointing out his favourites, upcoming prospect and downright pain in the bum horses, throwing in some hilarious anecdotes to keep us entertained. Next it was into a motley group of 4X4 vehicles and an Audi to head across the sodden fields to the gallops. A few minutes in the cold with a running commentary on the horses and their condition from Kim, then back to the yard while the weather was still holding out. Finally, we were taken to the top field to watch some practice jumps and apart from Lorrin (Total Communications) 'losing' her camera lens cap because she couldn't feel her fingers (it was still in her pocket), the whole morning went without mishap. 

All that remained was to sit down and eat a hearty, well-deserved full English and to thaw out before work!

We'd like to thank Kim Bailey for his generous hospitality and if you want to know more you can visit his website or follow his blog, or you can become part of a syndicate with a share in a Race Horse...

We'd also like to thank our lovely guests for coming: Frank Smith, Lorrin White, Paul Nurden, Ed Mawle, Mark Haynes, Rob Wheatman and Melanie Pomfret

You can view our Photogallery of the morning on Flickr...